Chemical and metallurgical aspects of arsenical bronze: the case of arsenic-loss in prehistoric metal production

Menu

New samples produced

Some of the prepared samples

The last weeks I was busy with preparing roughly 300 samples for the data base and the hardness measurements. Samples were made of eight different alloys, four different annealing times at 600°C in reduced atmosphere, cross-section and longitudinal section, and up to five different grades of deformation (cold rolling). And I have to admit that the rolling machine is just fantastic! The more arsenic the alloy contains, the harder it was to roll (not very surprising…) but I was fascinated by the squeaky sound the higher alloyed metal produced.

Marianne Mödlinger

Marianne Mödlinger is a prehistoric archaeologist. Her main research interests include Bronze Age studies, the manufacture and usage of Bronze Age arms and armour, archaeometallurgy of copper alloys, and experimental archaeology.